Schuette Statement On Jailing of Wayne County Rape Victim

Contact: John Sellek or Joy Yearout 517-373-8060Agency: Attorney General

July 19, 2011

LANSING
- Michigan Attorney General Bill Schuette made the following
statement after learning that a Wayne County rape victim was jailed and placed
near her alleged attacker by a 36th District Court judge following an
emotional cross-examination by the defense during the criminal trial of her
alleged attacker:

"I don't have
words to express my outrage at how this victim was placed in a jail cell next to
her alleged attacker. Our constitution says crime victims have "the right to be
treated with fairness and respect for their dignity and privacy throughout the
criminal justice process." There is absolutely no excuse for treating a woman
who has been abducted, kidnapped, repeatedly raped and brutally beaten in the
same way as her alleged rapist. This is precisely why I created a Crime
Victim's Rights Advocate, and why I am committed to making sure there is a voice
for victims in our state."